Adenosine triphosphate, also referred to as ATP, is nature’s energy store. Every living organism needs ATP energy in order to carry out the processes that maintain life within that organism, including us humans for whom a continuous energy source is essential for our biochemistry, movement of fluids and the involuntary muscular movements exemplified by our heartbeat, respiration and digestion.

As we saw in part one of this series, once athletes get to a certain level in their training, the strength of their bio-electrical current is what makes the difference for explosive strength and power. But how does this current, created through electron transfer and donation, travel through the body? One of the key answers is through the nervous system: using a form of electrical current (called action potential) the brain communicates via the spinal cord to the muscles, and vice versa. This provides the second key to building maximum strength and power for athletes: a strong, healthy central and autonomic nervous system is vital for optimal athletic performance. Why? There are two main reasons.

My days are busy and I work full time, nearly everyday. In order to fit in my training schedule, which is normally 2 to 3 hours 5 days a week, I train in the basement of the thrift shop where I work. This is a recent training session focusing on 1 minute endurance sets.

Compare two athletes of the exact same body size and build, who have followed the same training regimen – they don’t necessarily have the same power, speed or explosive capacity. Why? Once athletes attain a certain level of strength and stamina, the difference in their capabilities comes down to their bodies’ bio-electric current flow. The stronger the current flow, the stronger the body, and the more explosive power and strength you have access to.

Shaun McDaniel is on his way to becoming an international champion. Last week, the twenty four year old New Yorker famous for training in a thrift-store basement (link to original article) unofficially broke the world record that his longtime hero, Paddy Doyle, established in 2008. With a forty-pound weight strapped to his back, Shaun managed to pump out 719 back-handed pushups in an hour, topping Doyle’s previous record of 663. “I didn’t know I could do it,” said Shaun, “I thought it would just be a practice session.”

Some of you may have read the previous article on Shaun McDaniel, the youth from Southside, Queens who’s been training to break the world record in push-ups. Shaun has been taking four Life Health Secrets supplements (Protein Extreme Energy, GSH-Ignite, Maxodin, and Adrenal Re-Boot) for just over a month now, and he’s submitted this testimonial. Thanks Shaun, we’re all rooting for your success!

Lots of anticipation followed me to Week 1 of the Colgate Women’s Indoor Games. I have had this recurring nightmare for years that I either forget my sprint spikes, or that I am late for my race. Well, this week, the meet was running ahead of schedule, so when I arrived, my heart jumped as I saw the hurdles set up and ready to go.

The purpose of this article is to provide information and its application leading to the development and maintenance of explosive power . I want to share the proceeding information with the expectation that you will be able the utilize it in your own training philosophy and/or reinforce your confidence in what you already know. Lets talk about the process!
Determining key prerequisites:
a) Increase mobility and stability
b) Creating a foundation of Maximum Strength
c) Nutritional Support

Phase I: Strength & Power

The goal for this phase is to build a foundation in strength & power before starting speed training. My weight training during this phase is 3-4 sets of shorter reps and heavier weights. This phase focuses on developing strength and power, which will be important when working on block work to the first hurdle. I am also focusing on developing ankle flexibility, which is important for a hurdler. The start requires explosive and controlled drive and power. Right now, my training phase on the track includes Sprint Day 1 of mobility training over 5-7 hurdles close together. No rest period. This is a continuous workout performed on the balls of my feet.

FYI, even tho I’m not doing any speed training at all, I ran a 5k “fun run” on Sunday; won my age group with a 21:32 (that’s fast by my standards!!!) and felt great. My marathon was only 5 weeks ago and I am totally recovered and racing…that’s huge!